Bulacan fireworks vendors put up firewalls in stores to avoid fire

MANILA, Philippines - Following the big fire that hit their fireworks stalls last year, vendors in Bocaue, Bulacan, have built firewalls between their main stores and storage areas to avoid a repeat of the incident. QTV's Balitanghali reported Saturday that aside from the firewalls, Bocaue vendors have equipped their stores with an abundant supply of water and warnings against smoking to prevent fires. Meanwhile, GMA reporter Dano Tingcungco said that despite the warning of the Department of Health against fireworks, buyers have opted to continue their tradition to celebrate the New Year using firecrackers. "Ugali na kasi talaga namin every New Year na magpaputok kami for good luck at maiwan yung malas (It has been a tradition every year to use fireworks for good luck and get rid of the bad)," said one customer in the report. Vendors have also reported that some of their items have almost been sold out. "Sa katunayan nga kulang-kulang na ang aming items, hindi kami kumpleto and then yung mga supplier naming wala na ring maibigay sa amin dahil hindi nila ineexpect na magiging ganito ang bilihan (The truth is we've been lacking many items, even our supplier has run out of fireworks. They didn't expect that the demand would be so high)," said stall owner Annie Dinglasan. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV